Multicomponent
crystal forms for drugs with poor solubility, such
as orotic acid (OA), can potentially promote dissolution behavior
and bioavailability. Herein an affinity prediction was carried out
to predict the formation of multicomponent crystal forms between OA
and 41 coformers. Amino acids were selected as coformers to solve
the solid-state solubility problem of OA. Six new multicomponent crystal
forms, including five salts and one salt hydrate, were characterized
and confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry,
and thermogravimetric analysis. Spectroscopic techniques, such as
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
were used to validate the cocrystal/salt dichotomy. In the crystal
packing, all salts exhibit N+–H···O– intermolecular interactions, which is well explained
by molecular electrostatic potential surfaces. Finally, a powder dissolution
study was conducted. The powder dissolution of all salts presented
a higher apparent solubility (1.15–1.32 times) and a faster
dissolution rate in comparison to those of OA, which is ascribed to
the strength of the crystal lattice and the solvation of components.
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